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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

How many Islas do you know?

112 replies

loulou2021 · 31/05/2022 17:35

I'm 37 weeks and Isla was a name for the baby suggested by my 5 year old DS. My husband loves it and I like it too but I'm concerned about it's popularity. I don't actually know any little Islas myself (and have lots of friends with babies and small children). How many babies called Isla do you know and how old are they?

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elenacampana · 31/05/2022 19:09

loulou2021 · 31/05/2022 17:41

Thanks everyone. Would be good to know what location you're in too. I'm in the North West so perhaps not as popular where I am?

I’m in the NW too OP, it’s very popular. Every second person my niece talks about seems to be called Isla. There are also a lot of Bellas and Ellas.

ladygindiva · 31/05/2022 19:08

Two. Both about 5 years. One local, the other the other side of the world( Australia). Beautiful name.

Evenstar · 31/05/2022 19:07

I worked in Early Years and about 5 years ago we had three all join at once, so three out of about 15-20 children of similar ages as we took 2 to school age. No idea how popular it is now.

MerryChristmasToYou · 31/05/2022 19:06

You are welcome @loulou2021. Bear in mind that the figures on the map is only in one year.

The figures on the map may look low but overall the name is very popular, which might be an issue. I'd check how it sounds with the surname, and if it is a common surname go for a strong middle name (not May, Grace, Rose or Skye)

I'd avoid it if your surname is White.

SallyWD · 31/05/2022 19:02

One who is 11

LondonQueen · 31/05/2022 18:57

2, one is 5, the other is 8.

SatinHeart · 31/05/2022 18:54

I'm in the south west and I know 4 under 5.

Original poster
loulou2021 · 31/05/2022 18:51

@MerryChristmasToYou this is incredibly helpful - thank you!! Thanks also to everyone for responding

OP posts:
MerryChristmasToYou · 31/05/2022 18:44

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/articles/babynameswhereyoulivecouldshapewhatyoucallyourbaby/2018-09-21

You need to scroll down to 'Explore the top 100 girls’ names by area', and if you hover over the map it gives you the figures for your area

Trinacham · 31/05/2022 18:37
  1. She's about 3
NoWordForFluffy · 31/05/2022 18:36

Two of mine are in the NW (Sefton).

NoWordForFluffy · 31/05/2022 18:35

I know 3:

One is 2 in July;
One is 18 months in July; and
One is around a year old (neighbours, not close friends, so don't know exact birth date).

janeseymour78 · 31/05/2022 18:32

2

comealongponds · 31/05/2022 18:30

We always seem to have one or two in Brownies so I would say it’s pretty popular

Roselilly36 · 31/05/2022 18:09

A few, usually their older sis is Amelia. I love the name though.

SycamoreTall · 31/05/2022 18:09

I have a two year old but have never met any. I know my hairdresser's little daughter is an Isla.

There's an ONS map somewhere, and I think they have data by region too.

SummaLuvin · 31/05/2022 18:08

I know two 8 and 3.

Stats can be helpful to get an overall view, and of course if you are choosing a top 20 name the chances of there being another in your childs class is far higher than outside of top 100, but they aren't everything. Even if there are only two Isla's in the whole of the UK for a year there is nothing preventing them being from the same village. Additionally name trends can be regional with villages and countryside areas being more traditional, and cities having a much wider variety of names, both more modern and more ethnic names - Muhammad was the fourth most popular boys name in 2020 for England and Wales, but you might not find a single one in whole schools in certain areas.

aquamarine1 · 31/05/2022 18:07

One. We're in Scotland - I think it's popular in London but could be wrong. Lots of Emilys, Lucys and isabellas up here - beautiful names so I can see why they're popular.

Princessoftheuniverse · 31/05/2022 18:03

One. She’s about 8. Declan Donnelly has an Isla too.

PuffinMcStuffin · 31/05/2022 17:57

I'm in Scotland and I know at least ten Islas of varying age. Easily 5 in my daughters class at school.

caterpillarhater · 31/05/2022 17:52

Uhhh that's Lilahs not Lilags 😅

caterpillarhater · 31/05/2022 17:51

SE ... I know 3, one age 7, and two age 4.

But I I also know 2, age 6 Lilags would sounds very similar. I think the peak has passed on Isla, so I don't think there will be as many babies named it now. I also have a 2 year old and not met any from her cohort.

tinygigolo · 31/05/2022 17:51

I'm in the East Midlands and it is the most popular girls name in my neighbourhood, I know about 12 under the age of 8

KirstenBlest · 31/05/2022 17:45

names.darkgreener.com/#isla

It's been very popular in England and Wales for a decade, if not more, so even though she might be the only Isla you know by the time she goes to school or university or work she'll probably be one of many.

It's probably even more popular in Scotland.

Essexgirlupnorth · 31/05/2022 17:44

Also North west there are 2 in my daughter year at school she is 8. Don't know many babies but none called Isla.